Offered the stark choice of converting to Islam or execution, a tailor named Antonio Primaldo Pezzula proclaimed “Now it is time for us to fight to save our souls for the Lord. And since he died on the cross for us, it is fitting that we should die for him“.
His words, it seems, spoke for all, and two days later, after several more refusals to renounce their faith, the martyrs were led to the Hill of Minerva (later renamed the Hill of Martyrs) and beheaded.
The Ottoman rule of the decimated southern outpost was short-lived and upon the Christian-led retaking of the town, the bodies of those who sacrificed their lives were moved to the mosaic-filled Cathedral, where they are still revered today.
The Otranto you’ll visit today feels like a million miles away from such events: an increasingly popular summer destination for foreigners and local tourists alike, it offers gorgeous swimming and sunbathing spots, a cornucopia of excellent restaurants, seawall walks, and a real sense of the southern Italian dolce vita. But, peel your eyes away from such scenes, you can see that Otranto was rebuilt and redefined based on the paranoia of being the Achilles heel entry point for invaders from the Ionian Sea, with its defensive ramparts, fortifications, arches, and stronghold castle configured to ensure such a catastrophe could never happen again.
We were so excited to return here on our third trip to Puglia, and in this guide have shared everything you need to know to plan for Otranto, whether it’s a day trip, quick stop on your road trip, or holiday base in the region. As well as the best things to do in town, we’ve shared our pick of the best restaurants, accommodation, and aperitivo spots, plus advice on transport connections and parking.
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